8 Hour Tarpon Fishing Trip - St. Petersburg, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour seasonal tarpon fishing adventure in Tampa Bay watersCaptain Bryan Foley provides expert guidance for silver king battlesPremium inshore experience from April through July 30th
Looking to tangle with the Silver King? You've found the right crew. Captain Bryan Foley runs these 8-hour tarpon trips out of St. Petersburg from April through July, right when these monsters are rolling thick in Tampa Bay. This isn't your average day on the water – we're talking about targeting one of the most powerful fish that swims in these waters. Two anglers get the full treatment, and trust me, you'll both have plenty of shots at these legendary jumpers. Just remember to tip your captain – gratuity's on you, but it's always appreciated after a day of watching tarpon go airborne.
We launch early and stay out for a full eight hours, giving you maximum time in the prime tarpon zones around Tampa Bay. Captain Bryan knows these waters like the back of his hand – he's been putting anglers on fish here for years. You'll be fishing the flats, channels, and structure where tarpon stage up during their seasonal migration. The boat's rigged with everything you need, from heavy spinning gear to the circle hooks that keep these fish pinned. We're not just throwing lines in the water and hoping – this is strategic fishing. Bryan reads the tide, water temperature, and bait movements to put you where the action is. Expect to see rolling tarpon, work with live bait, and get coaching on proper fighting techniques. These fish average 80-150 pounds, so you better believe you'll know when one's on the other end.
Tarpon fishing is all about presentation and patience. We're primarily using live bait – crabs, pinfish, and mullet – presented on circle hooks with just enough weight to get down in the zone. Captain Bryan sets up the spread based on what he's seeing: sometimes we're drifting the flats, other times anchored up on structure where tarpon funnel through. The tackle is beefed up – 50-80 pound class spinning gear that can handle the initial runs and those famous jumps. You'll learn the proper fighting stance, how to bow to the king when they jump, and why keeping steady pressure matters more than horsing them in. We also run artificial lures when the bite calls for it – big swimbaits and jigs that trigger aggressive strikes. The key is adapting to what the fish want that day, and Bryan's got the experience to make those calls.
Tarpon are the main event here, and for good reason. These silver torpedoes show up in Tampa Bay every spring and hang around through summer, giving us that sweet four-month window from April to July. A typical fish runs 80-150 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into something pushing 200. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their attitude. These fish jump like dolphins, strip drag like freight trains, and test every bit of your tackle and technique. They're ancient fish, some over 50 years old, and they've earned their nickname as the Silver King. The best action happens around moving tides when bait gets pushed through the passes and along the flats. Early morning and late afternoon are prime time, but during peak season, tarpon can be caught all day long. What gets anglers hooked on tarpon fishing is that explosive strike and those acrobatic jumps – there's nothing else quite like it in saltwater fishing.
Tampa Bay's tarpon season is short but sweet, and Captain Bryan's calendar fills up fast with repeat customers who know what they're getting. This 8-hour trip gives you the best shot at multiple hookups and the full tarpon experience. At $100 per additional angler, you can bring along extra friends who want in on the action. But remember – tarpon fishing requires patience and persistence. Some days they're eating everything in sight, other days you work for every bite. That's fishing. What's guaranteed is professional guidance, top-notch tackle, and fishing some of the most productive tarpon water on Florida's Gulf Coast. Don't wait until mid-season to book – the calendar gets tight, especially on weekends. Get your dates locked in and start thinking about what it feels like to fight a fish that can jump 8 feet out of the water.
Captain Bryan Foley's Coastal Bay boat puts you right in the action for chasing Tampa Bay's legendary tarpon. This spacious motorboat handles four anglers with ease, though we keep groups at two for the premium experience you deserve. The GPS navigation cuts straight to the hottest tarpon grounds while the fish finder pinpoints these silver giants lurking below. From April through July, when tarpon flood these waters, you'll have everything needed to battle these acrobatic fighters. The boat's layout gives everyone room to work when a hundred-pound silver king goes airborne. Captain Foley knows exactly where these fish stack up during peak season and how to get you hooked up with proper tackle and technique.
Saint Petersburg, FL